Northern California wildfire fading

A San Bernardino County Sheriff Department helicopter does a water drop on a RV and truck on fire during a wildfire in Devore. (AP)

By

AP

PublishedFriday, August 19, 2016

Fire crews gained more ground on a wildfire in Northern California overnight as damage inspectors continued to survey the area to determine how many structures have been destroyed or damaged.

The 6-square-mile blaze was 55 percent contained Thursday after destroying at least 268 structures, including 175 homes and eight businesses, in the working-class community of Lower Lake. The fire broke out last weekend.

Damin Pashilk is charged with starting the blaze along with more than a dozen other counts of arson and one of attempted arson in connection with fires dating back to July 2015. The 40-year-old construction worker appeared in court Wednesday, but he did not enter a plea.